NHTSA Toyota Consumer Alert

(WPRI) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released the following alert Wednesday concerning the recent Toyota recalls.

CONSUMER ADVISORY: Toyota Owners Advised of Actions to Take Regarding Two Separate Recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today informed owners of certain Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac Vibe vehicles about the actions they should take if their accelerator gets stuck or is slow to return under certain conditions.

Today’s advisory is precipitated by continued reports of consumer concern and confusion about two separate safety recalls Toyota announced over the past week involving accelerator pedals. Each recall has a different root cause – pedal entrapment and sticky pedal.

Pedal Entrapment Recall. In October, Toyota announced the recall of 3.8 million vehicles for accelerator pedal entrapment by the floor mat. That recall was recently expanded to include another million vehicles. When an accelerator pedal is depressed to or almost to the floor, as is done during attempts to merge onto a freeway or pass another vehicle at highway speeds, it can become trapped in the fully open position by an out of position or unsecured floor mat.

Toyota has begun to notify owners of the availability of a remedy for this entrapment recall. The accelerator pedal will be reconfigured by dealers. At the same time, Toyota will develop replacement pedals for these vehicles, which will become available for some models in April 2010. Owners who first choose to have the pedal reconfigured can also receive the brand new pedal when it becomes available. New all-weather floor mats will also be provided. In addition, Toyota will install a brake override system on certain models. The brake override system would ensure the vehicle would stop if both the brake and the accelerator pedals are simultaneously applied.

Until consumers receive the remedy, it is imperative that they take out all removable floor mats on the driver’s side or ensure that any mats are properly secured. The agency has confirmed that 5 individuals, in 2 incidents, have died as a result of pedal entrapment in the recalled vehicles. Failure to follow this advice with regard to removing or securing the floor mats could lead to additional deaths and injuries. At such time as Toyota has the recall remedy for these vehicles owners will receive a letter instructing them to go to their dealer for the repair.

Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac vehicles affected by the entrapment recall are:

2007-2010 Camry
2005-2010 Avalon
2004-2009 Prius
2005-2010 Tacoma
2007-2010 Tundra
2007-2010 ES 350
2006-2010 IS 250 and IS350
2008-2010 Highlander
2009-2010 Corolla
2009-2010 Venza
2009-2010 Matrix
2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe

Sticky Pedal Recall. In January 2010, Toyota announced the recall of 2.3 million vehicles for a problem internal to the accelerator pedal that causes it to be harder to depress, slower to return to the closed position or get stuck in some partially depressed position. Some of the vehicles included in this recall are also included in the pedal entrapment recall. Toyota has announced a remedy repair that will be available right away. The company is also having new pedals manufactured. Owners who first choose to have the pedal repaired may later receive a new pedal when it is available.

While we are aware of no deaths or injuries due to this condition, consumers should take the following steps prior to receiving the recall remedy. Owners of these vehicles should pay attention to the operation of their accelerator pedals. If their accelerator pedal is harder to depress than normal or slower to return, it may be a precursor to a stuck pedal. These vehicles should be parked and a dealer immediately notified. Should a pedal become stuck in a partially depressed condition while driving, owners should put their car in neutral, bring it to a stop and call their dealer.

Toyota, Lexus and Pontiac vehicles affected by the sticky pedal recall are:

2007-2008 Tundra
2008-2010 Sequoia
2005-2010 Avalon
2007-2010 Camry
2009-2010 Corolla
2009-2010 Matrix
2009-2010 RAV4
2010 Highlander
2009-2010 Vibe

Actions Consumers Can Take If They Cannot Stop Their Vehicle. Regardless of the cause, if a consumer is experiencing unintended acceleration in their vehicle, they should take the following steps:

• Brake firmly and steadily – do not pump the brake pedal
• Shift the transmission into Neutral (for vehicles with automatic transmissions and the sport option, familiarize yourself with where Neutral is – the diagram may be misleading)
• Steer to a safe location
• Shut the engine off (for vehicles with keyless ignition, familiarize yourself with how to turn the vehicle off when it is moving – this may be a different action than turning the vehicle off when it is stationary).
• Call your dealer or repair shop to pick up the vehicle. Do not drive it.

For more information, consumers can contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Hotline at 888-327-4236